The world’s 7 most fattening and festive holiday foods

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Kentucky Fried Chicken, Japan: Ah, Christmas. That sacred time when you gather friends and family around the table and proudly plop down a bucket of KFC for dinner. Thanks to a genius marketing campaign by Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 1970s, that’s a tradition in Japan. Since Christmas isn’t a big holiday there, marketing executives seized on the empty space, with the slogan “Kentucky for Christmas” and a themed “party barrel” full of fried chicken. The tradition holds strong today, and is so popular that you’ll have to pre-order your meal (which can be paired with cake or sparkling wine, also sold by the chain) and stand in line to pick it up. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Christmas cake, Great Britain: Like Twinkies, Christmas cake is good to have on hand in case of an apocalypse, as it will stay good for an alarmingly long time. Christmas cake is traditionally made months ahead of time, in order to give the flavors of the dried fruit and spices time to mingle together. Fortunately, the cake is soaked in a good amount of alcohol that keeps it preserved until it’s ready to eat. Getty Images/iStockphoto

The 13 desserts of Christmas, Provence, France: If you’re having Christmas dinner in Provence, you’d really better save room for dessert. The post-meal tradition requires that 13 different types of sweets (like marzipan candy or dates) are served, and that each guest has a small bit of each dish. No leaving the table until you finish your 13 desserts! Getty Images/iStockphoto

Eggnog, various countries: Eggnog may be a drink, but you should think of it more as a meal replacement shake. This creamy beverage packs about 400 calories, 19 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar into one cup. On the bright side, you’ll also get about 9.7 grams of protein (and maybe a nice buzz if it’s spiked). Getty Images/iStockphoto

Turducken, United States: Turducken is quite possibly the most American dish ever. It’s for when you just can’t decide which kind of meat you want, so you mash the first three animals you can think of into one unnatural Frankenstein specimen. Turducken is made by stuffing a chicken inside a duck, which is then wedged into a turkey. Make it extra American by tossing it in the deep fryer. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Latkes, Israel: Traditionally made for Hanukkah, latkes are potato pancakes that are fried in plenty of oil, then served with toppings such as sour cream or apple sauce. Much like potato chips, it’s pretty much impossible to eat just one latke, which is unfortunate since each tiny treat has about 5 grams of fat. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Buñuelos, Mexico: Nicknamed “Mexican Christmas fritters,” buñuelos are sure to put you in the holiday spirit (by means of a sugar rush). Buñuelos are made from fried dough topped with cinnamon sugar and served with warm honey or syrup for extra sweetness. They’re traditionally paired with hot chocolate to really up the cavity risk factor. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Christmas cake, Great Britain: Like Twinkies, Christmas cake is good to have on hand in case of an apocalypse, as it will stay good for an alarmingly long time. Christmas cake is traditionally made months ahead of time, in order to give the flavors of the dried fruit and spices time to mingle together. Fortunately, the cake is soaked in a good amount of alcohol that keeps it preserved until it’s ready to eat.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Planning to spend the holidays away from home this year? That doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in some fattening holiday foods. From turducken to Christmas cake, these dishes will fill you up with more than holiday cheer.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, Japan

Ah, Christmas. That sacred time when you gather friends and family around the table and proudly plop down a bucket of KFC for dinner. Thanks to a genius marketing campaign by Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 1970s, that’s a tradition in Japan. Since Christmas isn’t a big holiday there, marketing executives seized on the empty space, with the slogan “Kentucky for Christmas” and a themed “party barrel” full of fried chicken. The tradition holds strong today, and is so popular that you’ll have to pre-order your meal (which can be paired with cake or sparkling wine, also sold by the chain) and stand in line to pick it up.

Turducken, United States

Turducken is quite possibly the most American dish ever. It’s for when you just can’t decide which kind of meat you want, so you mash the first three animals you can think of into one unnatural Frankenstein specimen. Turducken is made by stuffing a chicken inside a duck, which is then wedged into a turkey. Make it extra American by tossing it in the deep fryer.

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Christmas is a magical time of year. Outdoor light displays have become even more intricate and impressive over the past few decades in both the U.S. and abroad. Each country has its own spin on light shows. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed several travel publications and government sites to identify 25 stunning Christmas light displays around the world. SergeyIT / Getty Images

Austria: Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Vienna
The Viennese Dream Christmas Market is not one to miss while visiting Austria over the holidays. This year, the event is held on the Rathausplatz in front of City Hall through Dec. 26. The market glows from a radiant carousel, dazzling lights that are strung from vendor to vendor, and bright colorful lights that give the surrounding trees a pink and purple hue. A luminous sign that says "Frohe Weihnachten," which means Merry Christmas in German, greets visitors at the market's entrance. sborisov / Getty Images

Belgium: Plaisirs d'Hiver, Brussels
Brussels' annual Plaisirs d'Hiver, or Winter Wonders, festival continues until Jan. 6. According to the festival's site, Plaisirs d'Hiver attracts 2.5 million visitors every year. Under bright lights and a towering Christmas tree, food vendors offer their goods. The market also offers a skating rink and several exhibitions. A high-tech dome that offers an immersive experience for visitors as they enjoy performances, concerts, films, and other entertainment was added for this year's 18th edition of the festival. Edison McCullen / Wikimedia Commons

Brazil: Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro
For more than 20 years, Brazil has been known for its floating Christmas tree. In 2012, a 280-foot-tall structure weighing 500+ tons was unveiled in Rio de Janeiro. This year, the tree stands at 230 feet tall and floats in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. More than 2 million lights, which change color periodically, adorn the tree. The floating tree had previously been absent for two years. In 2015, the tree was severely damaged by strong winds from a storm. It just re-launched on Dec. 1 and it will be lit every evening until Jan 6. dolphinphoto / Getty Images

Canada: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Toronto hosts a free, annual holiday fair at Nathan Phillips Square. What makes this event so bright are the lights that cover the three arches that hover over the square's outdoor ice rink, as well as the lit Christmas tree. The fair includes a slew of vendors, a handful of performances, a carousel and even a visit from Santa Claus. The event will continue until Dec. 23. yelo34 / Getty Images

Colombia: Medellin Lights Festival
The Medellin Christmas lights display, also known as Alumbrados Navidenos or El Alumbrado, is one of the city's most famed events. This year, the lights display will include 35,000 hand-woven figures, 26 million LED lights, and 11 tons of metalized paper. About 90,000 people are projected to visit the display, which will close on Jan. 7. SajoR / Wikimedia Commons

Denmark: Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens has reportedly been the holiday hub since it was established in the mid-19th century. Today, the site known for its extravagant light display, with thousands of Christmas lights adorning the area. A Christmas market is also a part of the experience, offering 50 different stalls with vendors selling anything from art and decorations to snacks and warm drinks. Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

France: Avenue Champs-Elyees, Paris
Unlike most of the light displays on this list, the most extravagant light show in Paris is not an event but rather a street lined with trees decked out in thousands of colorful lights. Champs-Elysees is arguably the world's most well-known avenue, and during the holidays it becomes even more transcendent in beauty. In fact, it may just be the only time of the year where sitting in traffic is not unbearable. FelixCatana / Getty Images

Germany: Christkindlmarkt in Romerberg, Frankfurt
The Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas market, in Frankfurt is one of the largest of its kind in Germany. A tall, well-lit Christmas tree brightens the market, as do the vendor stalls and carousel. The market spans the historical market square of Romerberg. Among some of the vendor offerings are warm sweets and treats, such as Bethmannchen Christmas cookies and hot apple wine. sborisov / Getty Images

Hong Kong: WinterFest
Hong Kong's annual WinterFest is an event that won't disappoint. The festival is full of different events, ranging from ballet and philharmonic performances to an extravagant light show known as Pulse 3D. The show includes luminescent art made by artists from numerous countries. Of course, the Statue Square Christmas tree is a must-see attraction. It will light up the entire district until New Year's day. Roderick Eime / Flickr

Italy: Luci d'Artista, Salerno
Each year, the city of Salerno hosts a dazzling light show event called Luci d'Artista. The event stretches across a long period of time, this year ending Jan. 20. The light show has a different theme every year, and for 2018, the theme is marine life. Marco Ebreo / Wikimedia Commons

Japan: Kobe Luminarie
Kobe, Japan, hosts a spectacular light show around Christmas time every year to pay tribute to the 6,400 lives lost in the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995, which struck the Kobe metropolitan area. More than 3 million people visit the radiant light displays every year. lasta29 / Wikimedia Commons

Japan: Winter Illuminations at Shibuya Ao no Dokutsu, Tokyo
Another extravagant light show in Japan is Tokyo's Winter Illuminations. There are 15 places in Japan's capital that have the winter illuminations on display. The one in Ao no Dokutsu in Shibuya, also known as the blue cave, stretches across the 820 foot-long pedestrian street. More than 2.6 million people visited the light display last year. ooyoo / Getty Images

Lithuania: Christmas in Vilnius, Cathedral Square, Vilnius
This event is dubbed Vilnius' largest and most spectacular festival. The vast Christmas tree is the main attraction, having been named one of the most beautiful trees in all of Europe and the world by several online publications. Pel_1971 / Getty Images

Mexico: Luztopia at Fundidora Park, Monterrey
Monterrey hosts the annual Luztopíia light display, which includes 250 illuminated figures and over 15,000 lights. The centerpiece of the event this year is the near 60-foot Christmas tree. The event, which takes place in Fundidora Park, will also include other treasures, like a 50-foot-tall castle and a wintry village where Santa Claus will be waiting to hear children's Christmas wishes. Notimex ‏/ Twitter

New Zealand: Christchurch Christmas Lightshow
During the month of December, those living in or visiting Christchurch may want to check out the Christmas light display in town, which the city council dubs "The most spectacular light show in New Zealand." The light display consists of more than 400,000 lights that are synchronized to rock music. Courtesy of Christchurch City Council

Poland: Royal Castle Square, Warsaw
Poland's capital and largest city is home to a beautiful Christmas tree. The lights on the tree form figures of lollipops, wrapped candies, candy canes and even garland. Below the tree are illuminated figures of presents, all making for a quaint yet extraordinary light display. Tokarsky / Getty images

Philippines: Festival of Lights in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Manila
This will be Manila's 10th year hosting The Festival of Lights in Ayala Triangle Gardens. This year, the light show teamed up with Disney Philippines to create a Disney-themed light show called, "Reimagine the Magic: A Festival of Lights." Manilaspirit / Wikimedia Commons

Russia: Christmas Festival on Manezh Square, Moscow
Moscow is the place to be in Russia during the holidays. The Christmas festival begins on Manezh Square, home to one of the main attractions – the big, glowing ball. The ball consists of about six miles worth of LED lights and is roughly 56 feet tall. Of course, no Christmas light display would be complete without a Christmas tree. Manezh Square is also home to a 56-foot-tall LED light-covered tree. KonstantinGushcha / Getty Images

Spain: The center of Seville
While you cannot go wrong visiting any of Spain's major cities during the Christmas season, Seville has a special holiday flair. The historic city is chock-full of outdoor Christmas markets and neighborhoods with beautiful lights and luminescent figures of stars suspended above the streets. Perhaps the most impressive and magical light display is the Christmas tree, located in the center of the city. Shootdiem / Getty Images

Sweden: Christmas Market at Liseberg Amusement Park, Gothenburg
Gothenburg's Liseberg Amusement Park is home to an annual Christmas market decked out in nearly 5 million lights. The idea of the festival is to bring light during a very dark time of the year. In northern Sweden, there are weeks during the winter season where the sun doesn't even rise. The Christmas market brings in 450,000-500,000 visitors each year. Visitors can take the Lane of Lights, a near 2-mile-long walk full of illuminations from the harbor to the Christmas market. lkoimages / Getty Images

Ukraine: Christmas Fair at St. Sophia Cathedral, Kiev
While there are several places in Kiev to enjoy a light display, it's likely that the most breathtaking of them all is the blue-lit Christmas tree located in front of St Sophia Cathedral. The near-90-foot-tall tree is decorated with an estimated 1,000 lanterns and nearly 12,000 feet of programmed garland that change the colors of the entire tree each day. alisa24 / Getty Images

United Kingdom: Oxford Street, London
London's go-to shopping destination always rings in the holiday season with style. This year, 1,778 decorations and 750,000 shimmering lights line the stores along Oxford Street. The familiar white globe lights are joined by purple ones this year, as well. paulkporter / Getty Images

United Kingdom: Kew Gardens, London
For the past six years, Kew Gardens has hosted a light show called "Christmas at Kew." Visitors can travel along the garden's "winter trail" where more than 1 million pea-lights and thousands of laser beams illuminate the walk Alex Liivet / Wikimedia Commons

United States: Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
New York City isn't just the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center or the light show on the wall of Saks Fifth Avenue. An even more impressive and underrated light show takes place outside of Manhattan. Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn offers a flashy Christmas light experience unlike any other. Tens of thousands of lights decorate the homes in the neighborhood. Inflatable Santa Claus and snowmen and Christmas carols complement the light display. Michael Heiman / Getty Images

Eggnog may be a drink, but you should think of it more as a meal replacement shake. This creamy beverage packs about 400 calories, 19 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar into one cup. On the bright side, you’ll also get about 9.7 grams of protein (and maybe a nice buzz if it’s spiked).

Christmas cake, Great Britain

Like Twinkies, Christmas cake is good to have on hand in case of an apocalypse, as it will stay good for an alarmingly long time. Christmas cake is traditionally made months ahead of time, in order to give the flavors of the dried fruit and spices time to mingle together. Fortunately, the cake is soaked in a good amount of alcohol that keeps it preserved until it’s ready to eat.

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A forest of nearly 100 Christmas trees transforms the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre every holiday season. The trees, each decorated by a different organization or company, attract crowds to the 1910 neoclassical building throughout the holiday season. christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov

In New York City, Rockefeller Center's famous Christmas tree attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This year’s tree, a 72-foot, 12-ton Norway spruce, grew about 75 miles away in Wallkill, New York. It’s draped with about 50,000 LED lights, and topped with a 900-pound star made from 3 million Swarovski crystals. Will Steacy, nycgo.com

In recent years, botanical gardens and zoos have launched flashy holiday exhibitions, but few equal the show in Toledo, Ohio, where the zoo grounds are festooned with more than 1 million lights, including 35,000 alone on an 85-foot spruce. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Citadel Outlets in Commerce, California, is home to what has been called the world’s largest live-cut Christmas tree. The white fir tree from northern California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest is 110 feet tall. Citadel Outlets

The National Christmas Tree Association's grand champion grower provides the White House Christmas tree every year. This year's honor goes to a 19.5-foot Fraser fir from Newland, North Carolina. National Christmas Tree Association

The Mayor's Christmas Tree in Kansas City, Missouri, lords over the city’s Crown Center, an entertainment center that’s home to an ice-skating rink, a gingerbread village and holiday train. Mark McCabe

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

If you’re having Christmas dinner in Provence, you’d really better save room for dessert. The post-meal tradition requires that 13 different types of sweets (like marzipan candy or dates) are served, and that each guest has a small bit of each dish. No leaving the table until you finish your 13 desserts!

Latkes, Israel

Traditionally made for Hanukkah, latkes are potato pancakes that are fried in plenty of oil, then served with toppings such as sour cream or apple sauce. Much like potato chips, it’s pretty much impossible to eat just one latke, which is unfortunate since each tiny treat has about 5 grams of fat.

Buñuelos, Mexico

Nicknamed “Mexican Christmas fritters,” buñuelos are sure to put you in the holiday spirit (by means of a sugar rush). Buñuelos are made from fried dough topped with cinnamon sugar and served with warm honey or syrup for extra sweetness. They’re traditionally paired with hot chocolate to really up the cavity risk factor.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Kent Phillips

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Ryan Wendler

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Kent Phillips

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a grand procession that features holiday-themed floats, toy soldiers that actually march, life-sized gingerbread men, and, of course, a grand finale appearance by a certain Mr. Claus. Todd Anderson